Northampton County started dispatching calls for the borough's police department at 4 a.m. Wednesday. Residents still call the same seven-digit telephone number for police assistance.

County 911 service does not begin until July 30, stressed County Executive Bill Brackbill.

Hellertown's police department noticed the difference immediately, Balum said. For many years the borough has had blind spots in its radio transmission area, creating dangerous situations for the police officers.

"We had the worst radio system in Northampton County," Balum said, explaining why he pushed for the county to dispatch for the borough now. Until the 911 system goes on line, police officers will carry two radios -- the new ones and the old ones.

The new 500-megahertz radios for the full- and part-time officers will cost the borough between $35,000 and $40,000, Balum said.

The officers praised both the lack of blind spots and the professionalism of the dispatchers, two of whom used to work at the Hellertown dispatch center. The reduction in Hellertown's dispatch staff was another reason for the rush to the county, Balum said.

Wednesday the officers checked every blind spot on the borough with no problems, he said.

The only problem is the fee for county dispatch until it goes on line with 911. Brackbill said the fee could be as high as $1,050 for a week.

But the sentiment at Monday's Hellertown Borough Council meeting was not receptive to any fee, said Council President Anthony Branco. The borough hasn't received a bill for it yet, he said.